What’s It Like?

Why are straight people always asking what it’s like to be gay? It’s pretty much exactly like it’s like to be straight…except you’re gay. You don’t see a lot of gay people walking around asking straight people what that’s like. That’s probably because there’s no real answer.

How can you explain what colors look like to blind people? Can you explain to a deaf person what music sounds like? Probably not. If you’re straight, you’re not gay. If you’re gay, you’re not straight. So, what’s all the hoopla about? (Bisexual people may be the only ones who have a clue what it’s like to the other side.)

Everyone knows what discrimination is, though. If you are being discriminated against because of your sexual orientation, then, by all means, tell people about it. There is no other way to stop discrimination than to get it out in the open and fight it.

There are some people who will always be against homosexuality, but there are a whole lot of others who will proudly stand behind you and help you fight for your rights – marriage, equal benefits, right to file taxes jointly, etc.

Other straight people ask, “Why are these gay people always having parades and being so proud all the time?” However, straight people, when you have been discriminated against all your life, ask that question again. When you have been told you cannot get married, then ask. When you have felt that you could not tell your family why you’re not married yet, then ask. Now imagine you fought for and got all those rights back…wouldn’t you feel a little proud?

Stephen Fry, British celebrity, does. He said, “I won’t ever apologize for being born the way I was. To apologize for feelings is a silly thing. One should apologize for behavior that’s unkind or cruel, bigoted, oppressive, snobbish, looks down on people, (or is) superior. One should always apologize for that kind of thing. But to apologize for who someone is or to apologize for how one loves…that’s crazy.”

So, what’s it like to be gay anyway? It’s not like anything. It just is.